Meanwhile three of the four players obtained for Randy Johnson (Gonzalez, Luis Vizcaino and Ross Ohlendorf) are gone and Steven Jackson isn’t much of a prospect. But they did get a draft pick for Vizcaino, which proved to be Jeremy Bleich.

* * * * * MANNY RAMIREZ HAS BEEN TRADED * * * * * *

So says the Boston Globe. No details yet. Seems to be the Dodgers. This may be the best news for the Yankees all day.

UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.: Meanwhile, back in the Bronx, here is audio from Pudge Rodriguez’s press conference:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The team options were taken off Manny’s deal. He also will agree to decline arbitration so they can get draft picks when he becomes a FA.

I get it that Boston wanted to get rid of Manny. But the Red Sox traded three players (including Manny Ramirez) and $7 million for Jason Bay. That’s a hell of a lot for Jason Bay.

* * * * * EDWAR RAMIREZ SUSPENDED * * * * *

6:01 p.m.: Edwar Ramirez was suspended for three games for throwing at Kevin Millar. He appealed.

Daniel Cabrera got six games for actualling hitting A-Rod.

The Yankees have now had five players suspended this season for various offenses.

UPDATE, 6:20 p.m.: Here is the latest on our old pal Phil Hughes. He will pitch for Single-A Charleston on Saturday and be elevated to 50 pitches. Hughes could be a handful of starts away from being ready.

Cashman mentioned Hughes, Kennedy and Aceves as possible options in the rotation.

UPDATE, 6:22 p.m.: Here is some bonus audio for you. Brian Cashman’s interview from today. C-Money talks about what did happen and what didn’t. He would not bite on commenting about Manny.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

UPDATE, 6:24 p.m.: Shameless plug: I will be on ESPN News around 6:45 p.m.

UPDATE, 7:02 p.m.: Huge cheer for Pudge when the lineup was introduced.

Is you listened to the audio, you could tell how excited he was to be here.

This is a huge game for the Yankees. With Rasner and Ponson pitching in this series, they need Pettitte and Moose to win their games. The Yankees can’t expect to win the season series against the Angels with six of the games on the road, but they need to go 5-5 anyway. Just hold your own.

UPDATE, 7:07 p.m.: Lt. General Ray Odierno threw out the first pitch. He was the head of the division that captured Saddam Hussein in Iraq and will soon be the Army’s top man there.

UPDATE, 7:12 p.m.: OK, gang, I have a ton of newspaper work to go. I’ll update some later on. Enjoy the game.

Oh, and the Yankees have signed RHP Victor Zambrano to a minor-league deal. He’ll stay in Tampa and work out. He’s one of the huddled masses yearning to breathe major league air. I doubt he’s a realistic option for this season as he’s coming off surgery.

UPDATE, 8:05 p.m.: Hmm, it would seem Pudge and Pettitte have some kinks to iron out. One thing about Andy this season, when he gives it up, he really gives it up.

UPDATE, 8:10 p.m.: How’s the Pudge Rodriguez Era going? The Yankees are down 6-0, he’s made five trips to the mound to talk to Pettitte and he just stuck out on four pitches in his first at-bat. Other than that, it has been great.

UPDATE, 10:24 p.m.: Sorry for the lacks of updates. Bad game and lots of newspaper work to do.

The Yankees have had some brutal pitching the last five games, just awful. While getting Nady and Rodriguez were no-brainer moves, this team will rise or fall on the strength of the five starters and right now, they’re struggling (outside of Joba).